446 
06? 
1735 
CostB 


MINUTES 

OF       THE 

PROCEEDINGS 

OF      THE       SECOND 

,  Convention  of   Delegates 

FROM       THE 

ABOLITION    SOCIETIES 

Eftabiiihed  in  different  Parts  of  the  United  States, 

ASSEMBLED     AT 

PHILADELPHIA, 

ON   THE  SEVENTH   DAY  OF  JANUARY,    ONE   THOUSAND  SEVEN 

HUNDRED    AND    NINETY-FIVfc,    AND    CONTINUED,    BY 

ADJOURNMENTS,  UNTIL  THE   FOURTEENTH   DAY 

OF    THE    SAME    MONTH,    INCLUSIVE. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  EV   ZACHARJAH  POULSON,  JUNR.  NUMBER   EIGHTY, 
CHESNUT-8TREET,   EIGHT   DOORS  BELOW  THIRD-STREET, 


M    D  C  C    X  C  V. 


:   [> 


MINUTES 

OF      THE 

PROCEEDINGS 

OF      THE      SECOND 

Convention  of  Delegates. 


Philadelphia,  Wednefday^  January  jth.  1 795. 

AGREEABLY  to  the  recommendation 
of  the  Convention,  held  in  this  city 
laft  year,  a  number  of  Delegates,  from  the 
feveral  Abolition  Societies  in  the  United 
States,  aflembled,  this  day,  at  the  City  Hall, 
when,  by  the  credentials  produced,  it  ap- 
peared, that  the  following  perfons  had  been 
chofen  to  reprefent  their  refpe£tive  Societies 
in  this  Convention: 

Connecticut  Society. 

Jonathan  Edwards, 
Uriah   Tracy, 
Zephaniah  Swift. 

'M857971  New 


C     4      ) 

New-York  Society. 
John  Murray,  junior, 
William  Johnfon, 
Lawrence  Embree, 
William  Dunlap, 
William  Walton  Woolfey. 

Pennfylvania  Society. 

William  Rawle, 
Robert  Patterfon, 
Benjamin  Rum, 
Samuel  Coates, 
Cafpar  Wiftar, 
James  Todd, 
Benjamin  Say. 

Delaware  Society. 

Richard  Baffett,   , 
John  Ralfton, 
AUen  McLane, 
Caleb  Boyer. 

Wilmington  Society  (Jlatc  of  Delaware.) 

Cyrus  Newlin, 
James  A.  Byard, 
Jofeph  Warner, 
William  Pcole. 

Maryland  Society. 

Samuel  Sterett, 
Adam  Fo  nerd  on, 
Jofeph  Tcwnfend, 

Jofeph 


(      5      ) 

Jofeph  Thornburgh, 
George  Buchanan, 
John  Bankfon, 
Philip  Moore. 

Cbrfter-town  Society   (ftate  of  Maryland.) 
Edward  Scott, 
James  Houfton. 

Of  whom  the  following  appeared  and  took 
their  feats,  viz. 

Jonathan  Edwards, 
Uriah  Tracy, 
Zephaniah  Swift, 
William  Johnfon, 
Lawrence  Embree, 
William  Dunlap, 
William  Walton  Woclfev, 
William  Rawle, 
Robert  Patterfon, 
Benjamin  Rufh, 
Samuel  Coates, 
Cafpar  Wiftar, 
James  Todd, 
Benjamin  Say, 
Richard  Baflett, 
Caleb  Boyer, 
Cyrus  Newlin, 
Jofeph  Warner, 
Samuel  Sterett, 
Jofeph  Townfend, 
Jofeph  Thornburgh, 

John 


(      6      ) 

John  Bankfon, 
Philip  Moore, 
Edward  Scott, 
James  Houfton. 

The  Convention  proceeded  to  the  election 
of  a  Prefident,  and,  on  counting  the  ballots, 
it  appeared,  that  Benjamin  Rum  was  duly 
elefted. 

Walter  Franklin,  one  of  the  Secretaries 
of  the  Pennfylvania  Abolition  Society,  was 
appointed  Secretary,  and  Jofeph  Fry,  Door- 
keeper. 

Agreed,  That  all  queftions,  xvhich  mail 
come  before  this  Convention,  be  decided  by 
a  majority  of  the  votes  of  the  members  pre- 
fent,  and  that  every  motion,  when  feconded, 
fhall,  if  required  by  the  Prefident,  or  any 
member,  be  reduced  to  writing. 

The  addrefs,  from  the  laft  Convention,  to 
the  different  Abolition  Societies  in  the  United 
States,  was  then  read;  after  which,  feveral 
written  and  verbal  communications  were 
made. 

Jonathan  Edwards,  William  Dunlap,  Caf- 
par  Wiftar,  Cyrus  Newlin,  Caleb  Boyer, 
Philip  Moore,  and  James  Houfton,  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  confider  of,  and 
report,  the  objects  proper  for  the  attention 
of  this  Convention,  and  the  moft  fuitable 
means  of  attaining  the  fame. 

Ordered, 


(      7     ) 

Ordered,  That  the  feveral  communica- 
tions, made  this  evening,  be  referred  to  the 
above  committee,  and  that  the  members  of  the 
Convention  be  requefted  to  impart  to  them 
fuch  information  as  they  may  poflefs,  relative 
to  the  object  of  their  appointment. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  evening  at  five 
o'clock. 


January  8tb.  1795. 

The  Convention  met. 

Prefent  —  Jonathan  Edwards,  Uriah  Tracy, 
Zephaniah  Swift,  William  Johnfon,  Lawrence 
Etnbree,  William  Dunlap,  William  Walton 
Woolfey,  William  Rawle,  Robert  Patterfon, 
Samuel  Coates,  Cafpar  Wiftar,  James  Todd, 
Benjamin  Say,  Richard  Baflett,  Caleb  Boyer, 
Cyrus  Newlin,  Jofeph  Warner,  Jofeph  Town- 
fend,  Jofeph  Thornburgh,  John  Bankfon, 
Philip  Moore,  Edward  Scott,  James  Houfton. 

The  Prefident  being  abfent,  Uriah  Tracy 
was  appointed  to  prefide  for  the  evening. 

An  extract,  from  the  minutes  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  a  general  meeting  of  the  New 
Jerfey  Abolition  Society,  was  read,  by  which 
it  appeared,  that  Jofeph  Bloomfield,  William 
Coxe,  junior,  James  Sloan,  John  Wiftar, 
and  Franklin  Davenport,  were  elected  to 
reprefent  that  Society  in  this  Convention, 
of  whom,  William  Coxe,  junior,  James 
Sloan,  and  Franklin  Davenport,  appeared 
and  took  their  feats. 


(      8      ) 

The  committee,  appointed  at  the  iaft  meet- 
ing, not  being  prepared  to  make  a  final  report, 
were  continued. 

Several  communications,  from  the  New 
Jerfey  Society,  were  prefented  by  their  De- 
legates, and  referred  to  the  faid  committee. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  afternoon  at  five 
o'clock. 

January  gtb.  1 795. 

The  Convention  met. 

Prefent — Jonathan  Edwards,  Uriah  Tracy, 
Zephaniah  Swift,  William  Johnfon,  Lawrence 
En&bree,  William  Dunlap,  William  Walton 
Woolfey,  William  Coxe,  junior,  James  Sloan, 
Franklin  Davenport,  William  Rawle,  Robert 
Patterfon,  Benjamin  Rum,  Samuel  Coates, 
Cafpar  Wiftar,  James  Todd,  Benjamin  Say, 
Richard  Baflett,  Caleb  Boyer,  Cyrus  Newlin, 
Jofeph  Warner,  Samuel  Sterett,  Jofeph  Town- 
fend,  Jofeph  Thornburgh,  John  Bankfon, 
Philip  Moore,  Edward  Scott,  James  Houfton. 

A  letter,  from  the  Prefident  of  the  Provi- 
dence Abolition  Society,  was  read;  by  which 
it  appeared,  that  Theodore  Fofter  and  George 
Benfon  were  appointed  to  reprefent  that  So- 
ciety in  this  Convention. 

A  letter,  from  the  Wafhington  Abolition 
Society  in  Pennfylvania,  was,  alfo,  read, 
notifying  the  appointment  of  Thomas  Scott, 

Abfalom 


(     9     ) 

Abfalom  Baird,  and  Sar^e'  Clark,  as  Repre- 
fentatives  of  the  laid  .vi:.c:ety,  in  this  Con- 
vention. 

The  Secretary  was  t;;.  - :--:rtd  to  inform  fuch 
of  thofe  gentlemen  as  atfe  how  in  i-i's  city, 
of  the  receipt  and  purport  of  the  above 
letters. 

The  Convention  being  inform?],  tfrat  ; 
abfence  of  Jofeph  ElocmiieLJ,  o  iy, 

was  occafioned  by  fidmefs  me:i."jn  therebf 
was  ordered  to  be  made  en  tiie  Mi  -IJ  • 

The  committee,  appoint  :d  to  cvi.fl  .1  rr  cf, 
and  report,  the  objects  pro.vrr  for  liu  cc»i.  i- 
deration  of  the  Conv^  ;'on,  arid  the  moll: 
fuitable  means  of  att:  ;  the  i.  :ie,  made 
report,  which,  after  2n^,\^.,^\\^  vvas  adopted 
as  follows,  viz. 

Firft,  That  an  addrefs  be  made,  by  this 
Convention,  to  the  feveral  Abolition  Societies 
in  the  United  States,  recommending  to  them, 
to  fend  Deputies  to  a  Convention,  fimilar  to 
the  prefent,  to  be  holden  in  Philadelphia  the 
firft  day  of  January,  in  the  year  1796;  alfo, 
that  it  be  recommended  to  thofe  Societies, 
who  have  not  fent,  to  this  Convention,  com- 
plete copies  of  the  laws  of  their  feveral  ftates, 
relative  to  flavery,  to  fend,  to  the  next 
Convention,  copies  of  all  fuch  laws,  both 
thcie  which  are  now  in  farce,  and  thofe 
which  have  been  repealed;  and  to  fend,  to 
the  next,  and  every  fucceeding,  Convention, 

B  an 


an  accurate  lift  of  their  officers  for  the  time 
being,  together  with  an  account  of  the  place 
of  their  abode,  and  of  the  offices,  civil, 
military,  or  eccleiiaftic,  which  they  may 
fuftain,  with  the  number  of  members  of 
which  they  confift:  that  it  be  further  recom- 
mended, to  the  feveral  Societies,  to  fend, 
annually,  to  the  Convention,  an  accurate  lift 
of  all  thofe  perfons  who  have  been  relieved 
and  liberated  by  their  agency;  and,  alfo,  an 
account  of  fuch  trials  and  decifions  of  courts, 
the  general  knowledge  of  which  they  fhall 
judge  fubfervient  to  the  caufe  of  abolition: 
that  it  be  recommended  to  the  feveral  Socie- 
ties, to  inftitute  public  periodical  difcourfes, 
or  orations,  on  the  fubjed  of  flavery,  and 
the  means  of  its  abolition;  alfo,  to  continue, 
without  remiffion,  and  in  iiich  ways  as  they 
fliall,  refpedively,  judge  moft  likely  to  be 
fuccefsful,  their  exertions  to  procure  an  ame- 
lioration of  the  laws  of  their  refpedive  ftates, 
relative  to  the  Blacks;  and,  at  the  fame  time, 
to  give  particular  attention  to  the  education 
of  the  black  children:  and,  as  an  hiftorical 
review  of  the  legiflative  provifions,  relative 
to  flavery,  in  the  feveral  ftates  of  the  Union, 
from  their  refpedive  fettlements  to  the  pre- 
fent  time,  would  be  conducive  to  the  general 
benefit, — that  it  be  further  recommended,  to 
the  feveral  Abolition  Societies,  to  take  mea- 
fures  for  procuring  the  materials,  and  pro- 
moting the  publication,  of  fuch  a  work;  and 

that 


(  II  ) 

that  a  communication  of  the  fteps  taken,  in 
purfuance  of  this  recommendation,  be  made 
to  the  enfuing  Convention. 

Second,  That  the  '  Convention  take  into 
confederation  the  cafe  of  thofe  perfons,  who, 
having  been  made  free  by  the  republic  of 
France,  are  ftill  holden  in  flavery  by  thofe 
who  have  emigrated  into  the  United  States 
from  the  territories  of  the  faid  republic;  and 
that  the  Convention  devife  fome  lawful  mea- 
fures  for  their  relief: — we  barely  fuggeft, 
whether  an  application  to  the  French  ambaf- 
fador  be,  or  be  not,  proper  in  the  cafe. 

Third,  That  the  Convention  take  into 
confideration  the  means  of  improving  the 
condition  of  the  Blacks,  who  are,  or  may 
be,  made  free  in  the  different  Hates,  and  of 
preventing  the  inconveniences  that  may  arife 
from  the  d.egraded  ftate  of  the  Negroes  in 
the  United  States. 

Fourth^  That  it  be  recommended,  to  the 
Society  of  New  Jerfey,  to  enter  on  proper 
meafures  to  procure  an  amendment  of  the 
law  of  that  ftate,  prohibiting  the  manumif- 
fion  of  flaves  of  a  greater  age  than  thirty- 
five  years. 

William  Johnfon,  Franklin  Davenport, 
and  Samuel  Coates,  were  appointed  to  pre- 
pare an  addrefs,  as  propofed  in  the  firft  and 
fourth  lections  of  the  above  report. 

The 


(  I*  ) 

The  fecond  fecYion  was  referred  to  William 
Walton  Wool  fey,  William  Rawle,  James 
Todd,  and  Edward  Scott,  to  report  thereon. 

The  third  fedtion  was  referred  to  Lawrence 
Embree,  Cafpar  Wiftar,  Benjamin  Say,  Jo- 
feph  Warner,  and  Samuel  Sterett,  to  report 
thereon. 

Samuel  Coates,  James  Sloan,  and  Jofeph 
Townfend,  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
enquire,  and  report,  concerning  the  meafures 
taken,  in  purfuance  of  the  feveral  refolutions 
of  the  former  Convention,  for  tranfmitting 
memorials  and  addrefles  to  the  Congrefs  of 
the  United  States,  and  the  Legiflatures  of 
individual  ftates. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  evening  at  fix 
o'clock. 

January  loth.  1795. 

The  Convention  met. 

Prefent — Uriah  Tracy,  Zephaniah  Swift, 
William  Johnfon,  Lawrence  Embree, William 
Dunlap,  William  Walton  Woolfey,  James 
Sloan,  William  Rawle,  Robert  Patterfon, 
Benjamin  Rufh,  Samuel  Coates,  James  Todd, 
Benjamin  Say,  Caleb  Boyer,  Cyrus  Newlin, 
Jofeph  Warner,  Jofeph  Townfend,  Jofeph 
Thornburgh,  John  Bankfon,  Philip  Moore, 
James  Houfton. 

Theodore 


(     13    ) 

Theodore  Fofter,  delegated  to  reprefent 
the  Providence  Society,  appeared  and  took 
his  feat. 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the 
fecond  fe&ion  of  the  report  of  the  committee 
of  arrangement,  reported,  that  they  had  taken 
the  fubjedl  into  confideration;  that  it  appear- 
ed to  them,  to  be  within  the  province  of  the 
feveral  Societies  to  acl:  therein;  and  that  the 
Convention  fhould  recommend,  to  the  laid 
Societies,  to  exert  themfelves  for  the  libera- 
tion of  the  perfons  defcribed  in  the  faid  report, 
fo  far  as  may  be  confiftent  with  the  laws  of 
their  refpedive  ftates. 

Ordered,  That  the  faid  report  be  accepted. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  evening  next  at 
fix  o'clock. 

Monday  evening^  January  i  ^th.  \  795. 

The  Convention  met. 

Prefent — Jonathan  Edwards,  Zephaniah. 
Swift,  Theodore  Fofter,  William  Dunlap, 
William  Johnfon,  Lawrence  Embree,  Wil- 
liam Walton  Woolfey,  James  Sloan,  William 
Rawle,  Robert  Patterfon,  Samuel  Coates, 
Cafpar  Wiftar,  James  Todd,  Benjamin  Say, 
Caleb  Boyer,  Cyrus  Newlin,  Jofeph  Warner, 
Jofeph  Townfend,  Jofeph  Thornburgh,  John 
Bankfon,  Philip  Moore,  Edward  Scott,  James 
Houfton. 

The 


The  Prefident  being  abfent,  Zephaniah 
Swift  was  appointed  to  prefide  for  the  even- 
ing. 

The  committee,  appointed  to  enquire  con- 
cerning the  meafures  taken,  in  purfuance  of 
the  refolutions  of  the  former  Convention, 
for  tranfmitting  memorials  and  addrefles  to 
the  Congrefs  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
Legiflatures  of  individual  ftates, — prefented 
the  following  report,  which  was  read  and 
accepted,  viz. 

The  committee,  appointed  to  enquire  if 
the  memorials  to  Congrefs,  and  the  different 
ftate  Legiflatures,  were  prefented  agreeably 
to  the  order  of  the  Convention  laft  year, — •> 
report, 

That  the  memorial  was  prefented  to  the 
Senate  and  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives  of  the 
United  States,  in  Congrefs  aflembled,  who 
took  the  fame  into  confideration,  and  granted 
the  prayer  thereof  by  enacting  a  law,  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy: 

An  AEl  to  prohibit  the  carrying  on  the  Slave-- 
trade from  the  United  States  to  any  foreign 
place  or  country. 

Section  I.   "D  E  it  enabled  by  the  Senate  and 
fj  .Houfe  of  Reprefentatives  of 
the  United  States    of  America,    in  Congrefs 
a/cmblcd,  That  no  citizen  or  citizens  of  the 
United  States,    or  foreigner,   or  any  other 

perfon 


(     '5     ) 

perfbn  coming  into,  or  refiding  within  the 
fame,  mall,  for  himfelf  or  any  other  perfon 
whatfoever,  either  as  mafter,  factor  or  owner, 
build,  fit,  equip,  load  or  otherwife  prepare 
any  ihip  or  veffel,  within  any  port  or  place 
of  the  faid  United  States,  nor  ihall  caufe  any 
fhip  or  veffel  to  fail  from  any  port  or  place 
within  the  fame,  for  the  purpofe  of  carrying 
on  any  trade  or  traffic  in  flaves,  to  any  fo- 
reign country;  or  for  the  purpcfe  of  pro- 
curing, from  any  foreign  kingdom,  place  or 
country,  the  inhabitants  of  fuch  kingdom, 
place  or  country,  to  be  tranfported  to  any 
foreign  country,  port  or  place  whatever,  to 
be  fold  or  difpofed  of,  as  flaves:  And  if  any 
fhip  or  veffel  mail  be  fo  fitted  out,  as  afore- 
faid,  for  the  faid  purpofes,  or  mail  be  caufed 
to  fail,  fo  as  aforefaid,  every  fuch  fhip  or 
veffel,  her  tackle,  furniture,  apparel  and 
other  appurtenances,  fhall  be  forfeited  to  the 
United  States;  and  fhall  be  liable  to  be  feized, 
profecuted  and  condemned,  in  any  of  the 
circuit  courts  or  diftricl:  court  for  the  diftricT:, 
where  the  faid  fhip  or  veffel  may  be  found 
and  feized. 

Section  II.  And  be  it  further  enaSed^  That 
all  and  every  perfon,  fo  building,  fitting  out, 
equipping,  loading,  or  otherwife  preparing, 
or  fending  away,  any  fhip  or  veffel,  know- 
ing, or  intending,  that  the  fame  fhall  be 
employed  in  fuch  trade  orbufinefs,  contrary 
to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  this  adr, 

or 


or  any  ways  aiding  Or  abetting  therein,  fhall 
federally  forfeit  and  pay  the  fum  of  two 
thoufand  dollars,  one  moiety  thereof,  to  the 
nfe  of  the  United  States,  and  the  other 
moiety  thereof,  to  the  ufe  of  him  or  her, 
who  fhall  fue  for  and  profecute  the  fame. 

Sedion  III.  And  be  it  further  enaffied^ 
That  the  owner,  mafter  or  fador  of  each 
and  every  foreign  fhip  or  veflel,  clearing  out 
for  any  of  the  coafts  or  kingdoms  of  Africa, 
or  fufpeded  to  be  intended  for  the  flave- 
trade,  and  the  fufpicion  being  declared  to 
the  officer  of  the  cuftoms,  by  any  citizen, 
on  oath  or  affirmation,  and  fuch  information 
being  to  the  fatisfadion  of  the  faid  officer, 
fhall  firft  give  bond  with  fufficient  fureties, 
to  the  Treafurer  of  the  United  States,  that 
none  of  the  natives  of  Africa,  or  any  other 
foreign  country  or  place,  fhall  be  taken  on 
board  the  faid  fhip  or  veflel,  to  be  tranfported, 
or  fold  as  flaves,  in  any  other  foreign  port 
or  place  whatever;  within  nine  months  there- 
after. 

Sedion  IV.  And  be  it  further  enafied^ 
That  if  any  citizen  or  citizens  of  the  United 
States  fhall ,  contrary  to  the  true  intent  and 
meaning  of  this  ad,  take  on  board,  receive 
or  transport  any  fuch  perfons,  as  above  de- 
fcribed,  in  this  ad,  for  the  purpofe  of  felling 
them  as  flaves,  as  aforefaid,  he  or  they  fhall 
forfeit  and  pay,  for  each  and  every  perfon, 

fo 


(     '7    ) 

fo  received  on  board,  tranfjrorted,  or  fold  as 
aforefaid,  the  fum  of  two  hundred  dollars, 
to  be  recovered  in  any  court  of  the  United 
States  proper  to  try  the  fame;  the  one  moiety 
thereof,  to  the  ufe  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  other  moiety  to  the  ufe  of  fuch  perfon 
or  perfons,  who  ihall  fue  for  and  profecute 
the  fame. 

FREDERICK  AUGUSTUS  MUHLENBERG. 

Speaker  of  the  Houfe  of  Reprefintatives. 

JOHN  ADAMS,    Vla-Prtfidcnt  of  the  United  States, 
and  Prefident  of  the  Senate. 

APPROVED — March  the  twenty-fecond,  1794. 

G°:   WASHINGTON,   PrefiJent  of  the  United  Stated 

That  the  memorial,  to  the  General  Aflem- 
bly  of  Connecticut,  was  prefented,  accom- 
panied with  a  memorial  from  the  Abolition 
Society  of  that  ftate;  whereupon,  a  bill  was 
originated,  and  pafled,  in  the  Houfe  of  Re- 
prefcntatives,  to  aboliih  llavery  in  Connecti- 
cut; which  bill  was  negatived  by  a  fmall 
majority  in  the  legiflative  Council. 

That  the  memorials,  to  the  AlTemblies  of 
New  Jerfey  and  Pennfylvania,  were  pre- 
fented, but  not  acted  upon. 

That  the  memorial,  to  the  Delaware  Af- 
fembly,  was  prefented  late  in  the  feffion,  but 
no  order  taken  thereon. 

That  the  memorials,  to  the  Legiflatures 
of  New  York,  Maryland,  and  Virginia,  by 
reafon  of  accidents,  were  net  prefented. 

G  That 


That  no  certain  information  is  yet  obtain- 
ed, that  the  memorials  were  prefented  to  the 
Legiflatures  of  North  Carolina,  South  Caro- 
lina, or  Georgia,  although  your  committee 
have  reafon  to  believe  they  were  prefented, 
as  they  were  forwarded  by  a  careful  perfon. 

The  committee,  appointed  to  prepare  an 
addrefs,  as  propofed  in  the  firfl  and  fourth 
fedions  of  the  report  of  the  committee  of 
arrangement,  prefented  one,  which  was  read, 
and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the 
third  feftidn  of  the  report  of  the  committee 
of  arrangement,  made  report,  which  was 
read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  following  refolutions  were  then  adopt- 
ed, viz. 

Refolved,  That  addrefles  be  prepared  and 
prefented  to  the  Legiflatures  of  thofe  ftates, 
.which  have  not  pafled  laws  for  preventing 
the  importation  of  flaves. 

Samuel  Coates  prefented  an  effay  of  an 
addrefs  on  this  fubjed,  to  the  ftate  of  Geor- 
gia, which,  with  the  above  refolution,  was 
referred  to  William  Dunlap,  William  Rawle 
and  Jofeph  Townfend. 

Refolved,  That  a  memorial  be  tranfmitted 
to  the  Legiflature  of  South  Carolina,  requeft- 
ing  a  continuance  of  the  a£t  for  preventing 
the  importation  of  flaves. 
..  Jonathan  Edwards  prefented  a  draught  of 
an  addrefs  on  this  fubje£t,  which,  with  the 

refolution- 


(     '9     ) 

refolution,  was  referred  to  the  above  com- 
mittee, who  were  authorized  to  embrace 
fuch  other  objects,  in  the  memorials,  as  they 
might  judge  proper. 

Refolved,  That  Theodore  Fofter,  William 
Rawle,  and  William  Johnfon,  be  a  com- 
mittee to  confider,  and  report,  whether  any, 
and  what,  amendments,  appear  neceflary  in 
the  act,  pa{Ted  by  the  Congrefs  of  the  United 
States,  prohibiting  the  carrying  on  the  flave- 
trade  to  any  foreign  place  or  country. 

Refolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the 
feveral  Societies,  to  tranfmit,  to  the  next 
Convention,  an  account  of  the  number  of 
free  Negroes  in  their  refpective  ftates,  with 
a  general  ftatement  of  their  property,  em- 
ployments, and  moral  conduct. 

The  addrefs,  to  the  feveral  Abolition  So- 
cieties, was  re-committed  to  William  Walton 
Woolfey,  William  Johnfon,  Samuel  Coates, 
and  Robert  Patterfon,  for  the  purpofe  of 
incorporating  therein  fuch  other  matters  as 
this  Convention  have  refolved  to  recommend 
*o  the  faid  Societies. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  evening  at  fix 
o'clock. 

January  i$tb.  1795. 
The  Convention  met. 
Prefent — Uriah  Tracy,  Zephaniah  Swift, 
Theodore  Fofter,  William  Johnfon,  Lawrence 
Embree,   William  Dunlap,  William  Walton 
^  Woolfey, 


Woolfey,  James  Sloan,  William  Rawle,  Ro- 
bert Patterfon,  Samuel  Coates,  Cafpar  Wiftar, 
James  Tedd,  Benjamin  Say,  Caleb  Boyer, 
Cyrus  Newlin,  Jofeph Warner,  Jo feph Town- 
fend,  Jofeph  Thornburgh,  John  Bankfon, 
Pbilip  Mcore,  Edward  Scott,  and  James 
Houfton. 

The  Prefident  being  abfent,  Theodore 
Fofter  was  appointed  to  prefide  for  the 
evening. 

The  committee,  appointed  to  prepare  me- 
morials  to  the  Legiflatures  of  the  ftates  of 
Georgia  and  South  Carolina,  prefented  two 
eflays,  which  were  read;  the  one  to  the 
Legillature  of  Georgia,  \vas  ordered  to  lie 
on  the  table;  that  to  the  Legillature  of  South 
Carolina,  after  amendment,  was  agreed  to  as 

follows,  viz. 

• 
To  the  of  the  State  of 

South  Carolina. 

The  memorial  and  petition  of  the  Delegates 
from  the  feveral  Societies,  formed  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  United  States,  for  pro- 

ii  meting  the  abolition  of  flavery,  in  Con- 
vention afTeinbled,  in  Philadelphia,  on 
the  feventh  day  of  January,  1795. 

Refpcclfidly  ficw, 

THAT,  having  been  deputed,  and  hav- 
ing convened,  for  the  purpofe  of  con- 
fid  ering,  an4  carrying  into  effect,   the  moft 

proper 


proper  meafurcs  for  the  abolition  of  flavery; 
Mid  being  forcibly  imprefied  \vith  a  fenfe  of 
the  dangers  to  which  the  citizens  of  the 
United  States  are  exppfed,  while  a  numerous 
clafs  of  men  exift  among  them,  deprived  cf 
their  natural  rights,  and  ..'.forcibly  held  in 
bondage; — we  think  it  our  duty  to  addrefs 
you,  as  men,  fellow  citizens,  and  brethren, 
and  earneftly  to  requeft  your  attention  to 
the  means  of  avoiding  the  evils  naturally 
refulting  from  the  above  mentioned  unhappy 
circum  Ranees. 

The  firft  ftep  which  we  take  the  liberty 
cf  fuggefting  to  you,  is  an  entire  prohibition 
of  all  traffic  in  flaves,  between  your  ftate 
and  every  other  nation  or  ftate,  either  by 
importation  or  exportation.  This  is  the  firft 
and  principal  object  of  our  memorial — an 
object  which  we  the  more  earneftly  recom- 
mend to  your  attention,  as  we  are  informed 
that  the  law  of  your  ftate,  prohibiting  the 
importation  of  flaves,  will  expire  ibinetiine 
in  March  next. 

In  confidering  this  fubjefl,  many  methods 
of  conciliating  the  affections  of  this'  unfor^ 
tunate  people,  and  preparing  tlicm  for  that 
ftate  in  focicty  upon  which  depends  our  po- 
litical happinefs,  fuggeft  themfelvcs : — fuch 
as,  an  amelioration  of  their  condition  and  a 
diifiifion  of-  knowledge  among  them.  But, 
as -nothing  can  be  effectual  while  the  number 
of  flaves  may  be  daily  increafed  by  importa* 


tion,  and  while  the  minds  of  our  citizens 
are  debafed,  and  their  hearts  hardened,  by 
contemplating  thefe  people  only  through  the 
medium  of  avarice  or  prejudice  (a  neceffary 
confequence  of  the  traffic  in  man)  we  con- 
fine the  prayer  of  this  petition  to  the  total 
prohibition  of  all  traffic  in  flaves,  between 
your  ftate  and  every  other  nation  or  ftate, 
either  by  importation  or  exportation;  which 
we  refpedfully  folicit  you  to  grant,  having 
full  confidence,  that,  independant  of  other 
confiderations,  you  will  fee  the  evident  policy 
of  the  meafure. 


The  committee,  appointed  to  confider 
whether  any,  and  what,  amendments  appear 
neceffary  in  the  aft,  paffed  by  Congrefs, 
prohibiting  the  carrying  on  the  flave-trade 
to  any  foreign  place  or  country,  made  report 
as  follows,  viz. 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred 
the  confideration  of  the  ad  of  the  Congrefs 
of  the  United  States,  for  prohibiting  the 
traffic  in  flaves,  report, — 

That,  in'their  opinion,  no  amendment  is 
neceffary  to  the  law  in  queftion.  It  appears, 
to  them,  to  prohibit  the  exportation  of  flaves 
from  America,  for  the  purpofes  of  traffic, 
or  from  any  part  of  any  foreign  country, 
whether  a  port,  river,  bay,  or  coaft,  to  any 
other  foreign  country.  The  generical  term 
."  place"  certainly  includes  as  well  the  fea  as 

the 


the  land  ;  and  it  is,  in  fubftance,  declared  to 
be  unlawful  fo  to  traffic  in  any  place  or 
manner,  except  only  what  the  constitution, 
at  prefent,  denies  the  power  of  reftraining, 
viz.  the  importation  of  flaves  into  the 
United  States. 

Whether  further  experience  may  point 
out  defects  at  preient  not  feen,  the  commit- 
tee cannot  predict.  It  may  not,  perhaps, 
be  prudent  to  aid  avarice  and  inhumanity 
by  the  attempt. 

Ordered,  That  the  faid  report  be  accepted. 
On  motion, 

Refolved,  That  this  Convention  addrefs 
the  free  black  people,  in  the  United  States, 
exhorting  them,  by  fuitable  arguments  and 
motives,  to  fuch  conduct  and  behaviour  as 
may  be  judged  moft  proper  to  promote  their 
own  happinefs,  and  render  them  ufeful  mem- 
bers  of  fociety. 

Ordered,  That  Samuel  Coates,  Robert 
Palterfon,  and  William  Dunlap,  be  a  com- 
mittee to  prepare,  and  report,  an  addrefe 
conformable  to  the  faid  refolutioa. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  evening  at  fix 
-o'clock. 


January  i^th.  1795. 
The  Convention  met. 
Prefent  —  Uriah  Tracy,  Zephaniah  Swift, 
Thepdore  Fofter,  William  Johnfon,  Lawrence 
Embree,  William  Walton  Woolfey,  James 

Sloan, 


(      24      ) 

Sloan,  Robert  Patterfon,  Benjamin  Ruili, 
Samuel  Coates,  Cafpar  Wiftar,  James  Todd, 
Benjamin  Say,  Cyrus  Newlin,  Jofeph  Warner, 
Jpfeph  Townfend,  and  James  Houfton. 

The  addrefs,  to  the  Legiflature  of  the  itate 
of  Georgia,  was  read  a  fecond  time,  and, 
being  amended,  was  adopted  as  follows,  viz. 

To  the  of  the 

State  of  Georgia. 

The  memorial  and  petition  of  the  Delegates 
from  the  feveral  Societies,  formed  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  United  States,  for  pro- 
moting the  abolition  of  flavery,  in  Con- 
vention aflembled,  in  Philadelphia,  on 
the  feventh  day  of  January,  1795. 


Refpeclfully  fo 

THAT  the  Convention,  aflembled  in 
the  month  of  January,  1794,  addref- 
fed  your  body  on  the  fubjedt  of  the  African 
flave-trade;  and  the  prefent  Convention,  not 
having  been  informed  of  the  fuccefs  of  that 
memorial,  have  thought  it  a  duty  incumbent 
on  them,  to  re-call  your  attention  to  fome 
points  nearly  connected  with  the  honor  of 
humanity,  and  the  intereft  of  your  ftate,  and 
of  the  United  States. 

We  have  learned,  with  the  higheft  fatis- 
faction,  that  you  have  prohibited  the  im- 
portation of  flaves  into  your  itate,  from  all 

other 


(     '5     ) 

ether  parts  of  the  world,  except  Africa.  We  : 
congratulate  you,  and  the  friends  of  huma- 
nity in  general,  oa  fuch  a  ftep;  but  the 
time,  \vc  hope,  is  net  far  diftant,  when 
every  motive  of  wifdom  and  true  policy 
will  lead  you  to  prohibit  entirely  this  fpecies 
of  commerce.  And  we,  at  this  time,  rcqueft 
your  ferious  attention  to  a  confideration  of 
the  evil  likely  to  enfue  from  the  continuance 
of  the  traffic,  and  to  the  numerous  advan- 
tages which  muft  arile  from  its  abolition. 
Among  the  leaft  of  thefe,  we  would  men- 
tion the  confiftency  it  would  afford  to  the 
American  character,  now  held  up,  as  an 
example  to  the  European  world;  and  the 
good  treatment  which  might  hence  be  natu- 
rally expected,  as  likely  to  be  afforded  to 
thofb  blacks  who  are  already  in  your  coun- 
try. To  thefe  fuggeftions,  permit  us  to  add 
a  wiih,  that  you  would  confider  of  the  pro- 
priety of  pafling  a  la\v,  to  empower  the 
owners  of  flaves  to  grant  their  gradual  eman- 
cipation, by  will  or  otherwife,  as  we  are  well 
convinced,  that  the  happieit  effeds  ar.e  to  be 
expedled  from  a  progreflive  abolition  of 
flavery. 


The  committee,    to  whom   was  re-com- 
mitted the  addrefs  to  the  feveral  Abolition 
Societies,   for  the  purpofe  of  incorporating 
therein  fuch  other  matters  as  had  received 
B  the 


the/approbation  of  the  Convention  fince  the 
appointment  of  the  firft  committee,  —  pre- 
fented  one  with  the  additions,  which,  being 
read  and  amended,  was  adopted  as  follows, 
viz. 

To  the  Society  for 

promoting  the  abolition  of  Jlavcry,   CSV. 


Delegates,  from  the  feveral  Aboli- 
tion Societies  in  the  United  States, 
cQnvened  in  this  city,  exprefs  to  you,  with 
great  fatisfadion,  the  pleafure  they  have 
experienced  from  the  punctual  attendance 
of  the  peribns  delegated  to  this  Convention, 
and  that  harmony  with  which  they  have 
deliberated  on  the  feveral  matters  that  have 
been  prefented  to  them,  at  this  time,  for 
their  conlideration.  The  benefits  which 
may  flow  from  a  continuance  of  this  general 
meeting,  by  aiding  the  principal  defign  of 
its  inftitution  —  the  u  niv  erf  al  emancipation  of 
the  wretched  Africans  who  are  yet  in  bond- 
age, appear  to  us  ib  many  and  important, 
that  we  are  induced  to  recommend  to  you, 
to  fend  Delegates  to  a  fmiilar  Convention, 
which  we  propofe  to  be  holden,  in  this  city, 
on  the  firft  day  of  January,  in  the  year  one 
thoufand,  feven  hundred  and  ninety-fix. 

We  have  thought  it  proper  to  requeft  your 
further  attention  to  that  part  of  the  addrefs, 
of  the  former  Convention,  which  relates  to 
the  procurement  of  certified  copies  of  the 

laws 


laws  of  your  ftatc  refpefting  flavery;  and 
that  you  would  lend,  to  the  next  Conven- 
tion, exaft  copies  of  all  fuch  laws  as  are 
now  in  force,  and  of  fuch  as  have  been 
repealed.  Convinced  that  an  hiftorical  re- 
view of  the  various  a£ts  and  proviiions  of 
the  Legislatures  of  the  feveral  Hates,  relating 
to  flavery,  from  the  periods  of  their  reipec- 
tive  fettlements  to  the  prefent  time,  by  tra- 
cing the  progrefs  of  the  iyftem  of  African 
flavery  in  this  country,  and  its  fueceffive 
changes  in  the  different  governments  of  the 
Union,  would  throw  much  light  on  the  ob- 
jects of  our  enquiry  and  attention,  and  ena- 
ble us  to  determine,  how  far  the  caufe  of 
juftice  and  humanity  has  advanced  among 
us,  and  how  foon  we  may  reafonably  expert 
to  fee  it  triumphant; — we  recommend  to 
you,  to  take  fuch  meafures  as  you  may  think 
moft  conducive  to  that  purpofe,  for  procur- 
ing materials  for  the  work  now  propoied, 
and  aflrfling  its  publication;  and  to  commu- 
nicate, to  the  enfuing  Convention,  what 
pvogrefs  you  fhall  have  made  toward  per- 
fedting  the  plan  here  cfiered  for  your  confi- 
deration  and  care. 

Believing  that  "an  acquaintance  with  the 
names  of  the  officers  of  the  feveral  Abolition 
Societies,  would  facilitate  that  friendly  eor- 
refpondence  which  ought  always  to  be  pre- 
ferved  between  our  various  afi  eclat  ions,  we 
requeft  that  you  would  fend,  to  the  next, 

and 


(     28     ) 

and  to  every  future,  Convention,  an  accurate 
lift  of  all  the  officers  of  your  Society,  for 
the  time  being,  with  the  number  of  mem- 
bers of  which  it  confifts.  And  it  would 
affift  that  Convention  in  afcertaining  the 
exifting  ftate  of  flavery  in  the  United  Stales, 
if  you  were  to  forward  to  them  an  ejcact: 
account  of  the  perfons  who  have  been  libe- 
rated by  the  agency  of  your  Society,  and  of 
thofe  who  may  be  confidered  as  fignal  in- 
ftances  of  the  relief  that  you  have  afforded; 
and,  alfo,  a  ftatement  of  the  number  of  free 
blacks  in  your  ftate,  their  property,  employ- 
ments, and  moral  conduct. 

As  a  knowledge  of  what  has  been  done, 
and  of  that  fuccefs  which  has  attended  the 
efforts  of  humanity,  will  cherifh  the  hope 
of  benevolence,  and  ftimulate  to  further 
exertion,  we  truft  that  you  will  be  of  opi- 
nion with  us,  that  it  would  be  highly  ufeful 
to  procure  correct  reports  of  all  fuch  trials, 
and  decifions  of  courts  of  judicature,  refpect- 
ing  flavery,  a  knowledge  of  which  may  be 
fubfervient  to  the  caufe  of  abolition,  and  to 
tranfmit  them  to  the  next,  or  to  any  future, 
Convention, 

It  cannot  have  efcaped  your  obfervation, 
how  many  perfons  there  are  who  continue 
the  hateful  practice  of  enflaving  their  fellow 
men,  and  who  acquiefce  in  the  fophiftry  of 
the  advocates  of  that  practice,  merely  from 
want  of  reflection,  and  from  an  habitual 

attention 


attention  to  their  own  immediate  intereft. 
If  to  fuch  were  often  applied  the  force  of 
reafon,  and  the  perfuafion  of  eloquence, 
they  might  be  awakened  to  a  fenfe  of  their 
injuftice,  and  be  ilartled  with  horror  at  the 
enormity  of  their  conduct.  To  produce  fo 
defirable  a  change  in  fentiment,  as  well  as 
practice,  we  recommend  to  you  the  inftitut- 
ing  of  annual,  or  other  periodical,  difcourfcs, 
or  orations,  ta  be  delivered  in  public,  on  the 
fubjecl:  of  flavery,  and  the  means  of  its  abo- 
lition. 

We  cannot  forbear  expreffmg  to  you  our 
earneft  defire,  that  you  will  continue,  with- 
out ceafing,  to  endeavour,  by  every  method 
in  your  power  which  can  promife  any  fuc- 
cefs,  to  procure,  either  an  abfolute  repeal  of 
all  the  laws  in  your  ftate,  which  countenance 
flavery,  or  fuch  an  amelioration  of  them  as 
will  gradually  produce  an  entire  abolition. 
Yet,  even  fhould  that  great  end  be  happily 
attained,  it  cannot  put  a  period  to  the  necef- 
fity  of  further  labor.  The  education  of  the 
emancipated,  the  nobleft  and  moft  arduous 
talk  which  we  have  to  perform,  will  require 
all  cur  wifdom  and  virtue,  and  the  conftant 
cxcrcife  of  the  greatefl  fkill  and  difcretion. 
When  we  have  broken  his  chains,  and  re- 
ftored  the  African  to  the  enjoyment  of  his 
rights,  the  great  work  of  juftice  and  benevo- 
lence is  not  accomplifhed — The  new  born 
citizen  mull  receive  that  inftr^clion,  and 

thofe 


(     3°     ) 

thofe  powerful  impreflions  of  moral  and  reli- 
gious truth,  which  will  render  him  capable 
and  defirous  of  fulfilling  the  various  duties 
he  owes  to  himfelf  and  to  his  country.  By- 
educating  foine  in  the  higher  branches  of 
fcience,  and  all  in  the  ufeful  parts  of  learn- 
ing, and  in  the  precepts  of  religion  and  mo- 
rality, we  fliall  not  only  do  away  the  reproach 
and  calumny  fo  unjuftly  lavifhed  upon  us, 
but  confound  the  enemies  of  truth,  by  evinc- 
ing that  the  unhappy  fons  of  Africa,  in  fpite 
of  the  degrading  influence  of  flavery,  are  in 
no  wife  inferior  to  the  more  fortunate  inha- 
bitants of  Europe  and  America. 

As  a  mean  of  effectuating,  in  forne  de- 
gree, a  defign  fo  virtuous  and  laudable,  we 
recommend  to  you  to  appoint  a  committee, 
annually,  or  for  any  other  more  convenient 
period,  to  execute  fuch  plans,  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  condition  and  moral  char  after 
of  the  free  blacks  in  your  ftate,  as  you  may 
think  heft  adapted  to  your  particular  fituation. 

By  a  decree  of  the  National  Convention  of 
France,  ail  the  blacks  smd  people  of  color, 
within  the  territories  of  the  French  republic, 
are  declared  free,  and  entitled  to  an  equal 
participation  of  the  rights  of  citizens  of 
France.  We  have  been  informed  that  many 
perfons,  of  the  above  defcription,  notwith- 
ftanding  the  decree  in  their  favor,  have  been 
brought  from  the  Weft-India  iflands,  by 
emigrants,  into  the  United  States,  and  are 

now 


now  held  as  Haves. — We  fug£eft  to  you  the 
propriety,  as  well  as  the  neceffity,  of  making 
enquiry  into  the  fubjeft,  and  of  effecting 
their  liberation,  io  far  as  may  be  found  con- 
iiftent  with  the  laws  of  your  ftate. 

Copies  of  our  proceedings  will  be  tranf- 
rnitted  to  you,  and  we  hope,  that  you  will 
receive  fuch  fatisfaftion  as  will  induce  your 
early  attention  to  the  obj efts'  we  have  here 
recommended. 


The  committee,  appointed  to  prepare  an 
addreis  to  the  free  black  people,  reported  one, 
which  was  read,  and  ordered  to  be  poflponed 
for  the  confideration  of  the  next  Convention. 


Refolved,  That  Theodore  Fofter,  Robert 
Patterfon,  Samuel  Coates,  and  Benjamin  Say, 
be  a  committee  to  iuperintend  the  publication 
and  distribution  of  the  proceedings  of  this 
Convention ;  and  that  fo  many  copies  thereof 
as  may  be  thought  proper  by  the  Pennfylvania 
Abolition  Society,  be  printed,  and  diftribut  j.i 
among  the  feveral  Abolition  Societies  in 
United  States. 

That  the  addrefs,  to  the  feverai  Abolition 
Societies,  be  figned  by  the  Prefident,  ; 
by  the  Secretary,and  tranfmitted,by  the  above 
mentioned  committee,  to  the  faid  SocietijG. 

That  the  Memorials,  to  the  Legiflaturcb 
the  ftates  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  be 

fur: 


(    3'    ) 

figned  and  attefted  as  above  mentioned,  and 
tranfmitted  to  the  refpe&ive  Prefidents  or 
Speakers  of  one  branch  of  the  Legiflature, 
or  laid  before  the  refpedive  Houfes,  in  fuch 
manner  as  the  Prefident  may  think  expedient. 

That  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  this 
Convention  be  tranfmitted  to  the  Prefident 
of  the  Abolition  Society  of  London. 

Refolved,  That  the  Abolition  Society  of 
Pennfylvania  be  requefted  to  thank  the  Mayor 
of  the  city  of  Philadelphia  for  accommodat- 
ing the  Convention  with  a  room. 

The  Convention  then  adjourned  fine  die. 


Ptiblijbed  by  order  of  the  Convention^ 
WALTER  FRANKLIN,  Secretary. 

Philadelphia ,  January  iqtb.    1795. 


Gaylamount 
Pamphlet 

Binder 
Gaylord  Bros..  Inc. 

Stockton,  Calif. 
T.  M.  Reg.  U.S.  Pat.  Off. 


M257971 

l«79b 
CM 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  UBRARY 


